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Those of you who like to peruse Google Image Search for explicit content might be disappointed to hear that the company has switched up its algorithm to make that task a bit more difficult.

The issue came to light on Reddit earlier today, where a user noted that "as of the past two hours, Google images safesearch is MANDATORY for US IP's." He linked to a screen shot of an image search for "b***job," which produced a few tame, slightly NSFW images, but nothing pornographic.

When asked if the setting can be turned off, the Reddit user responded that "it says you can, but I see no obvious setting choice to do so, like where it had been."

In the Advanced Search section of Google Images, there is a SafeSearch option with two choices: Show most relevant results or filter explicit results.

"We've simplified SafeSearch settings on image search and the new default behaves similarly to what most users had as the default previously ('moderate')," a Google spokeswoman said in a statement. "We want to show users exactly what they are looking for - but we aim not to show sexually explicit results unless a user is specifically searching for them."

If you really want to find porn, Google said, it shouldn't be a problem. You might just have to get more descriptive.

"We use algorithms to select the most relevant results for a given query. If you're looking for adult content, you can find it without having to change the default setting - you just may need to be more explicit in your query if your search terms are potentially ambiguous," Google said. "The image search settings work the same way as in Web and video search."

The move comes shortly after the ICM Registry took the wraps off Search.xxx, which allows users to more easily sort through the adult content available on the .XXX domain.

In a statement, Stuart Lawley, CEO of ICM Registry and creator of Search.xxx, said his company is "still digesting" Google's move. "But this seems to continue a trend we have seen in recent months by the major search engines towards adult content. Google's decision only serves to reinforce the purpose and usefulness of what ICM Registry has been building: a destination for those adult consumers looking for high quality content."

How does Search.xxx differ from typing your adult queries into Google or Bing? "While some search engines reportedly de-rank adult sites in order to filter adult content out of regular searches, our new search engine helps consumers accurately find and enjoy all manner of porn  because it searches only .XXX domain-based porn," ICM said in September.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 6:30 p.m. Eastern with comment from Google.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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